Creating Wildfire (Sandoval Kisses Series #1)

Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I saw Chloe sitting on the bench. Nag-lakad ako papalapit sa kanya at umupo sa tabi n'ya. Hindi s'ya lumingon sa'kin.

"Solene, sorry," she said without looking.

My eyes widen a bit. Why is she sorry? Ako dapat ang nagso-sorry at hindi s'ya. She should be mad at me.

She glanced at me with her sad eyes. This is the other side of Chloe, her vulnerable side.

"Sorry because I have to keep my promise. Momma told you, right? Bukod sa pangako ko kay daddy ay gusto ko din na maging sundalo. Sana mapatawad mo 'ko, ngayon lang naman, ngayon ko lang pipiliin yung sarili ko,"

My lips parted. Pakiramdam ko ay may nakabarang kung ano sa lalamunan ko. Why... why is she like this? Naiintindihan ko naman at hindi na nya kailangan mag sorry! I should be the one who's saying sorry! I should've known better.

Hinawakan ko ang kamay n'ya at tinignan s'ya sa mata ''Chloe, you don't really have to say sorry. Ako dapat ang nag sosorry. I was close-minded. I'm just worried about you and you know that I don't want you to be far away from us, from me,"

She smiled.

"Babalik naman ako. I want to serve our country, Solene. Alam mo na parehas kami ng ipinaglalaban ni daddy,"

Tumango ako. I'm really guilty. I've never shouted at her before. I'm always nice to her because she's the only one who can understand everyone.

"Sorry, I'm really sorry, Chloe. I didn't mean to shout earlier, I was just... I was just mad!" Ngumuso ako.

"It was fine! Hindi naman ako galit. I mean... I'm bitchy most of the time so I understand you." Ngumiti siya at nagtaas ng kilay.

I chuckled and nodded.

She lifted her hands up and reached my cheeks," I'm gonna miss you, there will be no baby there." ngumuso s'ya na parang bata.

I rolled my eyes.

''I'm not a baby!" Inis na sabi ko at ngumuso.

"You're my baby, Solace," tumawa s'ya.

Umasim ang mukha ko, "I'm not! I'm no one's baby!"

"Talaga ba? Baka pag-balik ko may baby ka na?" she joked.

"Whatever, Chloe! As if naman! Pano 'ko magkakababy eh wala nga 'kong boyfriend." umirap ako.

"Stupid, edi gusto mo nga ng baby?" Ngumiwi s'ya.

I laughed. Of course not, I mean not yet. I'm still studying. I want to have a decent job first before I have a baby.

"Please, come back alive, Chloe," seryosong sabi ko.

Tipid na ngumiti sya at tumango.

"I will."

"I will always visit your siblings here so take care there, okay?" malambing na sabi ko.

Tumango s’ya. Chloe will be a great soldier.

"Take care too when I'm gone. Don't worry, my father's fate and mine aren't the same."

After that talk, we went inside to eat. The guys still aren't please with Chloe's decision. They're just too worried, like me. We're all worried but we know that God will protect Chloe just like how he's protecting us.

"Magiingat kayo sa byahe," dada said.

Pauwi na kami. It's already one am. Ayaw pa kaming pauwin ni momma pero may pasok kaming lahat bukas kaya hindi kami pwedeng mag stay.

"Terrence, mag ingat ka," Momma kissed kuya Terrence's forehead.

Tumango si Kuya Terrence at bumaling sa'kin. "Bye, baby. Take care!”

Yumakap ako sa kan'ya bago sumakay sa van. The girls and boys are already inside the van. Kumaway pa si Dwyne at Troy kina momma at dada bago pinaandar ni Spencer ang kotse. Lauren is sleeping beside Troy and Dwyne.

"How about your modeling career?" tanong ko kay Chloe.

She shrugged. "Chasie and Loraine can take my place, you know? I mean, Chasie is a model too and Loraine well, her dream is to be a model and actress so..."

Tumango ako. right, Chasie and Loraine have potential when it comes to modeling, they're both good but no one can beat Chloe.

"I'm gonna miss you." I pouted.

Tumaas ang kilay n’ya. "Mamimiss mo lang naman ako kase ako lang yung malambing sa’yo."

I chuckled and nodded.

"You're the sweetest!"

Natatawang umirap s’ya sa'kin.

"She's not sweet kaya!" Chasie said.

"She's sweet to me." I smiled sweetly.

"Sayo lang! Malambing lang sya sa amin pag lasing," ngumiwi si Loraine.

Chloe and Savriel laughed.

"Lauren is sweeter than Chloe," Dwyne whispered.

Umawang ang labi ni Loraine at Chasie na parang hindi makapaniwala sa sinabi nya. Lauren isn't sweet, really. Well, Lauren is so cold. Kung si Chloe ay maniniwala pa 'ko pero kung si Lauren ay hindi na, she's way too cold.

They continued talking until we arrived at the house.

"Goodnight, everyone," I said before I entered my room.

Pagka-pasok sa kwarto aya agad akong dumeretso sa bathroom para maka-pag shower. After taking shower I put my sleepwear, on and lay on my bed.

I was about to close my eyes when someone knocked on my door. Ngumuso ako bago bumangon. I opened the door and saw my little brother standing in front of my door, holding his teddy bear.

I crouched to level our face.

"Why are you here, Sarrence?" I asked softly.

Pumungay ang mata n'ya. "Can I sleep here, ate?" he asked.

Tumango ako. Nilakihan ko ang bukas ng pinto para maka-pasok siya. He climb to my bed and lay there. Sumunod ako sa kaniya pagaka-sara ko ng pinto. Inayos ko ang kumot niya.

"Ate, mama wants to send kuya Kyle and kuya Kyre to Canada."

My forehead creased. "Where did you hear that?" I asked.

"I heard tita Ylona and mama talking yesterday. Kuya Terrence went here earlier." Ngumuso s'ya.

"Then? what happened?"

He didn't speak.

"Sarrence, tell me what happened," I probed.

"Mama and kuya Terrence fought, ate."

Nanlaki ang aking mga mata. What the hell? Why did they fight? in front of the kids? Kuya Terrence never fights back to mama because he respects her too much! This is the first time. Masyado bang malala ang ginawa ni mama kaya nagalit si kuya?

"Alright, I'll talk to them, matulog ka na, huh?" Malambing na sabi ko bago humalik sa noo n'ya.

I sighed.

Friday came and good thing, it wasn't a busy day. I was reading my book when someone sat beside me.

She smiled at me. "Hello, I'm Lizel, what's your name?"

She's pretty, really. Sa tingjn ko ay bagong estudyante siya rito.

"Solace."

"Your name means comfort?"

Tumango ako. I don't really care. No offense but I'm not friendly. Bumalik akong muli sa pagba-basa ng librong hawak.

"What's your course?" she asked.

"Med-tech," I simply answered.

"Really? I'm a nursing student!"

"Ah..."

"Well, malaki kasi ang sweldo ng nurse kaya gusto kong maging nurse. Mahirap ang pamilya ko kaya gusto kong maging mayaman, ikaw ba? Mahirap din ba ang pamilya mo?" dere- deretso niyang tanong.

Seriously? She's nosy. I thought she's a silent type, mas madaldal pa pala s'ya kina Loraine at Chasie.

I glance at her.

I shook my head. "My family owns a lot of hospitals. My dad is a doctor."

Her eyes widened. She looked so amused. But if she's poor, how did she enter this school? As far as I know, there's no scholarship here in Lincoln.

"Pinapagaral ako nung amo ng nanay ko." Ngumisi s'ya.

"Ah... okay."

"Bakit pala med-tech ang kinuha mo? dahil ba 'yon ang gusto ng parents mo?"

I sighed deeply. "It's my choice," I said.

I saw Loraine and Chloe walking towards my place.

She was about to say something when Loraine called me.

"Solace! oh- who are you?" Loraine asked her.

She smiled at my cousins. "Hello, I'm Lizel!"

Chloe raised her eyebrows

"Hi, Lizel, I'm Loraine Sandoval and this is Chloe. Are you Solace's friend or classmate?"

"Ah..."

"Why are you here?" I asked, changing the topic.

"Let's go to the cafeteria! Spencer has a gift for you," excited na sabi ni Loraine.

I licked my lips. Inayos ko ang gamit ko at tumayo.

"Uh... do you want to come with us?" Loraine asked Lizel.

Nanlaki ang mata ni Lizel at halatang nagulat. She shook her head.

"Alright, bye, Lizel. See you around!" Loraine waved her hands.

We started walking towards the cafe.

"Kaibigan mo?" It was Loraine.

"She doesn't have friends," Chloe said.

"She just appeared and started talking to me." I shrugged.

"Which family does she belong to?"

"I don't know, she told me that the boss of her mom is paying for her tuition."

They both nodded.

Dwyne and Troy waved their hands when they saw us. Naglalakad kami sa tabi. I sat beside Troy. He smiled at me.

"Where's Savriel?" I asked.

"She's with Lauren... they're shopping," Spencer answered.

"Here," Spencer said and handed me a key.

My forehead crumpled.

"What is this?" I asked.

"A car. Terrence wants me to give that to you." He smirked.

My lips parted. Loraine and Chloe gasped.

"G*go, akala ko sa'yo galing," Loraine said.

Spencer's brows raised up.

"Solace is richer than me so why would I give her a car? she could buy that using her own money,"

I rolled my eyes at him and chuckled. Why did kuya Terrence give me a car? Well, he's a car collector but he never gave me a car before. I hope he's okay. I'm so worried about him.

Sigurado akong nasasaktan si mama dahil sa away nila. Well, sensitive kasi si mommy pag dating kay Kuya. Kahit naman gaano kalamig ang ugali n'ya ay may nararamdaman pa rin s'ya.

I should visit him.

"I have something to say," Troy said.

Lahat kami ay bumaling sa kan'ya.

"We already found an eye donor for Lauren."

My eyes widen. "Really?" natutuwang tanong ko.

Tumango siya.

"That's good!" Chasie exclaimed.

"But Lauren doesn't want to take it," madilim ang mukhang sabi ni Dwyne.

Kumunot ang noo naming apat nina Chloe.

"What? Why?" Chloe asked confusedly.

"Who's the donor?" I asked.

Spencer looked away.

"Her grandmother," he answered.

Napa-singhap kaming lahat.

"What the f**k?! Talagang hindi n'ya 'yon tatanggapin!" Loraine hissed.

Tumango ako. They know that Lauren would never accept that! Una sa lahat ay ayaw niya nang magkaroon pa ng koneksyon sa ina niya at pangalawa ay lola nya 'yon. If I were her, I won't accept it too, I mean, that's insane.

"She should accept it!" giit ni Dwyne.

"Sabihin mo nga sakin, pano n'ya tatanggapin 'yon?" I asked sarcastically.

"It's their fault why she lost her eyesight! They should pay for what they've done to her!"

"It's not their fault," Dylan said coldly.

"Kung gusto ni Lauren ay tatanggapin nya 'yon," Loraine said. "Pero ayaw n'ya!"

Right.

"Pwede namang humanap na lang sila ng bagong donor," Spencer said.

"It'll take another ten years to find another donor," I said.

I sighed.

"She doesn't deserve to wait again!" inis na sabi ni Dwyne.

"Waiting is worth it," Chasie said.

"It's for her," kunot noong sabi ni Dwyne.

"Why are you like that? kung ikaw ang nasa kalagayan niya, tatanggapin mo ba yung mata ni mamita?" naghahamon na tanong ni Troy.

Dwyne glared at him, "It's different! mamita loves us and her grandmother doesn't love her!" Giit n'ya pa.

"If her grandmother doesn't love her then why is she giving her eyes to Lauren?" Nakataas ang kilay na tanong ni Chloe.

"Aren't you even mad at them? Because of them, our cousin became blind!" Dwyne asked.

"Anong karapatan nating magalit at isisi sa kanila ang pagka-bulag ni Lauren sa kanila kung mismong si Lauren nga ay hindi naman sila ang sinisisi sa pagkawala ng paningin niya?" balik na tanong ni Dylan.

"You don't understand, damn it!" Dwyne shouted.

Tumayo s'ya at umalis.

"We're putting some sense into you!" Chloe shouted.

Halos lahat nang nasa loob ng cafeteria ay nakatingin saamin. What a scene. Damn, I hate attention.

"Let him. He's immature." Dylan shook his head.

Huminga 'ko nang malalim at umiling.

Dyan is way too understanding when it comes to his brothers. He's the eldest that's why he's trying so hard to understand Dwyne and Troy. Dylan and Dwyne are too far from each other but they said that they're the carbon copy of each other.

"He's still seventeen that's why he's acting like that." Chasie pouted.

"Wala sa edad 'yon. Isip bata lang talaga sya," Kontra ni Loraine.

"Mainitin ang ulo n'ya," Spencer said.

"He can still grow. Bata pa naman s'ya at pwede pang mag-bago ang ugali nya. I hope he will realize his mistake," sabi ko.

There's always room for him to grow. Dwyne and everyone can always grow if they want to but not everyone can realize their mistakes. Some people are fighting for something even though they know that they're fighting for the wrong thing.

I took a sipped on my chocolate shake.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakitang may tatlong lalaki sa harapan ng table namin. My blood started to boil when I saw who it is. It was Gabriel with his two cousins. His cousins are studying at Shiloah the sister school of Lincoln.

Naka-ngisi si Gabriel habang naka-tingin sakin. I glared at him.

"Can we sit here? there's no table left," Vrenz Alastair Zamora asked while smiling.

"Sure," Spencer said coolly.

Ang walang hiyang si Gabriel ay umupo sa tabi ko. Seriously? Nangaasar ba s'ya?

"Are you okay?" Troy whispered.

I sighed deeply then nodded. I just want to punch someone.

"You're from Shilo, right?" Chloe asked Gabrence.

Ngumuso si Gab at tumango.

"He's the captain of the baseball team in Shilo tapos here naman si Gabriel ang captain," Chasie said. "What about you?" Baling n'ya kay Vrenz.

"Future Military Captain." Ngumiti s'ya.

"Really? Chloe will enter army training next month," pakikisali ko sa usapan.

"That's nice. Bihira sa babae ang gustong maging sundalo," namamanghang sabi ni Gab.

"Sundalo ang papa n'ya," Troy said.

"It's my dream!" inis na baling ni Chloe kay Troy.

"Your girl cousin and I are in the same course," Sabi ni Loraine kay Gabriel.

Tumango naman si Gabriel na parang walang pakialam.

"Oh, by the way, this Saturday is my birthday, I'm gonna send the invitation card tomorrow," Loraine said to them.

"Oh, Happy birthday," Vrenz said.

"Tanga, sa saturday pa," walang hiyang sabi nya.

I smiled awkwardly at Vrenz

"She's just like that," Chasie said.

"Na-ofend ba kita? sorry ha? ganito talaga 'ko, kung ayaw mo sa'kin edi wag, bobo ka ba?" Loraine rolled her eyes.

"Ah... it's fine."

Loraine thumbs up and winked at him.

"Make sure to come on my birthday," Babala ni Loraine.

They nodded.

"Uh... what do you want as a gift?" Vrenz asked.

"Bahay at lupa." Seryosong sabi ni Loraine.

My jaw dropped when Vrenz nodded.

"Just send me the house and land that you want."

My cousins gasped. Ngumisi si Loraine.

"I'll chat you later!"

"Budol." Umiling ako.

House and lot is not a joke! Masyado siyang galante mag regalo. Pag nagkaanak ako ay gagawin ko s’yang ninong pero pwede din na tatay nalang, kidding.

Chasie chuckled, "Do you want to be my boyfriend?"

Tipid na ngumiti si Vrenz at umiling sa kaniya. Chasie pouted.

"Kukunin kitang ninong ng anak ko pero kung gusto mo tatay na lang," Loraine said and laughed.

"Loraine, stop it, and you too, Chasie," seryosong sabi ni Spencer.

"I'm just nag-bibiro! You're so serious!" Chasie rolled her eyes.

Umismid si Spencer.

Zamora is one of the enemies of my family because Zamora's own hospitals too. The family war never stops us from talking to the young Zamora. Mukha namang wala din silang pakeelam sa negosyo ng pamilya nila.

Our families are way too complicated.

"G*go, late na 'ko!" Si Troy matapos tumingin sa relo n'ya.

Kumunot ang noo ni Spencer

"Huh? may klase ka?"

"T*nga magka-klase tayo, bilisan mo na!"

"Sh*t! Oo nga pala, tara na, Dylan!"

Nag-madali silang tatlo na umalis. Stupids.

"They're dead," Naiiling na sabi ni Chloe.

Tumango si Loraine.

"Their prof is terror."

I chuckled.

"Mauna na rin kami ni Chasie," Loraine said before she pulled Chasie.

My forehead creased.

"Where are they going?" I asked.

"Maybe they're going to meet Lauren and Sab."

Tumango ako habang tinatanaw ang papalayong pigura ng aking mga pinsan.

"Open your social media accounts," Gabriel said.

Kumunot ang noo ko at tinignan sya, nakatin gin sya sakin. Tinaasan ko sya ng kilay at kinuha ang cellphone ko sa bulsa. I was about to open my f*******: accounts when a lot of notifications popped out.

Gabriel Matteo Zamora added you.

ItsGabriel_ followed you

Matteozamora followed you

Gabriel Matteo Zamora reacted to your profile

Gabriel Matteo Zamora reacted to your cover photo

Gabriel Matteo Zamora reacted to your shared post

My lips parted. Halos sa kanya lahat galing ang mga notifications sa account ko! What the hell?! Pati ang mga old post at pictures of ay naka-react siya!

"Y-you! Stalker!" I hissed.

He chuckled. "Ayaw mo non? Mayextra reactor ka?" natawang sabi n'ya.

"f**k off, Zamora," malamig na sabi ko.

He's making my blood boil in anger.

"Sungit, akala mo maganda." Sumimangot s’ya.

Naningkit ang mata ko.

"If I'm not pretty then why did you stalk me?" mataray na tanong ko.

He smiled cutely. "Right, you're pretty.”

"Can you pls stop pestering me?" madiin na sabi ko habang naka-tingin ng masama sa kaniya.

"Can you stop being pretty?" he mocked.

He's annoying! I hope he would stop messing with me. Sana ay nakipag-landian nalang s'ya sa mga babae n'ya hindi iyong ginugulo niya ako.

Umirap ako at ibinaling ang atensyon sa aking mga pinsan.

Nanlaki ang mata ko at mahinang napa-singhap nang maramdaman ko ang pag-hawak ni Gabriel sa kamay ko na nasa ilalim ng lamesa.

Nag-huhurimintado ang puso ko dahil sa ginawa niya. He's hands were rough and big. I can feel it. It's so hot, sending shivers to my spine.

"Are you guys.... okay?" Chloe asked.

I faked a smile and nodded.

Tumango sya at bumalik ulit sa pakikipag usap kin Vrenz at Gabrence.

I glanced at Gabriel who was smirking. My lips parted when I saw his playful smile.